History of Sex (American Version) Top Ten Booklist

Bachelors and Bunnies: The Sexual Politics of Playboy by Carrie Pitzulo

These are our Top Ten History of Sex books (American Version). American notions of sexuality have dramatically changed throughout its history. These books seek to explain and place American views of sex in an historical perspective. As per usual, we included some caveats and and explanations for our selections.

First, this is a history of sex / history of sexuality list. We understand that there is a distinction but, for us, these two things blur together. Unlike other people, we do not see them as entirely separate areas of inquiry. Whatever. They clearly overlap, and we’re not interested in trying to separate them for the purposes of our booklist (American Version).

Second, the so-obvious-they-don’t-need-a-place-on-the-list titles: Michel Foucault’s History of Sexuality: Volume I and John D’Emilio and Estelle B. Freedman’s Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America. Foucault’s book arguable does not belong on an American history of sex booklist, but his book is still the goliath in the field and we need to acknowledge it. Basically, when people think American sexual history they think of Intimate Matters. Since you are already thinking of them, we are leaving them off.